"D" the Ranter is Colorado's #1 Multi-sport MLBlogger. The Rant is written from a fan's perspective and you can count on "D" to tell you exactly how it is. Tried and Tested…There's a reason the Rant kicks ass in Colorado.

The Rockpile Rant, a long story in a short
world

1/17/09

CPL Chilcote, US Army B CO, 10 S & T BN Drum, NY.

Thought you might enjoy a shot of the Rockpile Ranter before he ranted professionally.

May 1988 (and 35 pounds skinnier), the first warm day in a while and it was my day off.

This is my first car (a 1986 Nissan Pulsar NX), and a few Army buddies and I at an outdoor concert somewhere near Ithaca, NY 1987.

If anyone in this picture recognizes themselves, you better contact me.

Below is a list of the nine non-roster players (so far) that the Rockies have invited to attend Spring Training camp.

PITCHERS (3)RHP Matt BelisleLHP Cedrick BowersLHP Glendon Rusch

INFIELDERS (2)Luis GonzalezJonathan Herrera (S)

OUTFIELDERS (2)Dan OrtmeierScott Podsednik (L)

CATCHERS (2)Edwin BellorinPaul Phillips

More names listed above have been a Rockie, than have not been (5-4).

I’ll tell all of them you said hi :) in a month.

The only autograph I possess of the above mentioned players is Glendon Rusch’s.

I ran into Jonathan Herrera during spring training last year, but Franklin Morales had just signed the last baseball I had with me so I couldn’t get Herrera’s autograph.

1 Ball = 1 Autograph

I’m not really into team signed baseballs. I think it takes away from uniqueness and individuality of the signature.

Others collectors really like baseballs with multiple signatures.

You know what they say, different strokes for different folks.

Now on a football since they cost a bit more I’m ok with multiple signatures.

Plus it’s a bigger area to sign so the signatures are spread out more than on a baseball.

When I’m in Tucson, I’m going to experiment with several different media’s for autographs.I have a few mini-bats and a few mini-helmets that I would like to get autographed.

I like that you can use a sharpie on them and from what I’ve been told and researched, they seem to hold up well over time. Light seems to be the killer of autograpys. You either have to keep them out of light entirely or store them in cases that filter UV light.

One thing I’ve learned about storing autographs is only use Rawlings Official Major League Baseballs.

Before I drove down to Tucson for spring training last season I had purchased several baseballs with Rockies logos on them.

These baseballs were not made with real leather. The ball on left was signed by Clint Barmes on April 6, 2008. The ball on the right is the same ball not quite a year later. This baseball has been in a footlocker and not exposed to light since I returned home with it.

In another year, it should be a clean baseball again.

I haven’t had this issue with any of the autographs that I have on a Rawlings Official Major League Baseballs.

I noticed a comment on my last two entries from fellow MLBlogger Ray’s Renegade. Every time I read one of his comments (or his blog), I start to have baseball withdrawals. His passion for this sport radiates in his choice of words.

The dude hypes me up about baseball and I’m already hyped up about it. That’s a good thing. It’s exactly a week now until Rockies Fest. I’m curious if I’ll run into any Rant readers there.

If you read this blog and you see me there, come over and say hi. Let me give you a card :) Remember, you know what I look like, most likely I wouldn’t know you if you were standing next to me.

I often think about who reads this blog. I get a sizeable amount of page hits from readers who are overseas. The picture below is a map of page hits to the Rockpile Rant over the last 17 hours or so.

Usually there are a few more overseas hits but I haven’t added any new “rantings” in a couple days. I’ve never had a page hit from anyone in Greenland or Antarctica. I don’t understand why, what the hell else do they have to do up/down there right? Oh well, one can always hope.

Seriously though, I wonder what they think when they read about some of the crazy sheet I get to do.

Do they think “Who is this crazy white boy and what the f*ck is wrong with him”. Or do they read my entries hang on my every word while living vicariously through my keyboard strokes?

Or did they just stumble across my blog through a funny picture I may have posted or some sort of search engine wrong turn?

All’s good, one page hit counts the same as another.

The part of this I find fascinating is that each individual page hit has a story, whether it be a long story or a short one. I’m honored to have been part of your/their page hit experience.

Consider the Rockpile Rant a long story in a short world with just the right bit of attitude. I always try and leave ’em smiling as I shoot for a happy ending.

Peace Y’all, Did you miss me?…D

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7 Comments

I wish I was going to be at spring training to meet you! It sounds like you’re going to have a great time. I wonder if a lot of your overseas hits could be from our service men & women looking to keep up with baseball?

First off, thank you for serving in the Army. I’m always grateful for soldiers! Second, have fun at spring training. I wish I could go, but I can’t afford it, nor do I have a way to get there. If you meet Scott Podsednik, tell him I said thank you for 2005! :)
Jenhttp://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com

D- I’m with Jen in saying thank you for serving. I’m so jealous you’re going to Spring Training. I’d love to get out there, but unfortunately, I have no money to do so and am in need of a job. And if I were to find a job, I wouldn’t even be able to request off for Spring Training. If, by chance, you meet Garrett Atkins, tell him that I am in love with him. Ha ha. Don’t really do that, by the way. And I’m still trying to drum up a question for you… it’s hard!!
Emilyhttp://deconstructingthoughts.mlblogs.com/

JULIA-At times I get a bunch of page hits from the Middle East. Geez, I hope it’s service men and women.
JEN and EMILY-Your welcome, they paid my rent, fed me, taught me how to cook/bake, clean a toilet, wax and buff a floor, and most importantly of all, no matter how long you look, you’ll never find a left handed spatula.

Hey D,
I’m with the rest in saying Thanks for keeping this country of ours free. I hate to think how we might be living if it weren’t for people like you. Thanks man (and yes, I missed my daily dose of the rant yesterday).

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